Miranda Lambert Releases New Single “If I Was A Cowboy” & New Fragrance

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Miranda Lambert. Photo: Alexa King

Miranda Lambert has unveiled her new single, “If I Was a Cowboy,” along with her first-ever fragrance, Idyllwind Eau De Perfume.

The Western-inspired tune follows up her latest hit, “Settling Down,” from her Grammy-winning album Wildcard, which also produced the No. 1 “Bluebird.”

“I wrote this song with my new friend, Jesse Frasure. We met doing the remix of ‘Tequila Does’ and he and I just got together one afternoon for a write and this is what came out of it,” shares Lambert. “It’s funny, he’s a Detroit boy and I’m an East Texan, but somehow we wrote a song about the Wild West together.”

Lambert’s new perfume combines her favorite scents, including notes of Georgia sweet peach blossoms and musky golden sandalwood reminiscent of the piney woods of East Texas. Idyllwind Eau De Parfum is available for pre-order now with delivery expected to begin in late October.

Lambert is also gearing up for the upcoming 55th Annual CMA Awards, where she’s nominated for Entertainer, Female Vocalist, and Musical Event of the Year for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” with Elle King.

Nashville-Based Startup Yat Adds Investors G-Eazy, Lil Wayne, More

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Yat Co-Founder, Naveen Jain

Nashville-based technology startup Yat is transforming online identities through personalized emojis. Building on the concept of emojis as a universal language, Yat offers a universal internet identity, website URL, and payment address through the use of personalized emojis. Yats are also a new form of NFTs, with real functional utility.

Yat co-founder and serial entrepreneur, Naveen Jain, launched Yat in Music City to build the next hub of media innovation in Nashville. Over the last six months, the company has grown to 55 employees. A group of high profile artists, including Questlove, Black Thought, G-Eazy, and Lil Wayne, have invested in the company, it was announced today (Oct. 14).

YouTube video

“Our vision for Yat is to transform online identities from usernames that have little meaning to a short string of emojis that tell your story,” says Jain. “At Yat, our slogan is ‘Be an Icon,’ and we’re giving people a new way to express themselves online while building the groundwork for a self-sovereign universal internet identity system–all built from the emojis that everyone knows and loves.”

Since launching in February, the company has built a community of Yat Creators spanning world-class artists, students, musicians, and celebrities, including Kesha and Disclosure, with some creators giving more than $425,000 for their own online identity made up of a personalized string of emojis.

Unveiled in July of 2021, the platform’s new feature allows creators to turn their Yats into animations with the Yat Visualizer. They can also mint their Yats on Ethereum and share them on OpenSea, one of the world’s largest NFT platform.

Texas Hill’s ‘Heaven Down Here’ Slated For January

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Texas Hill have announced the release of their debut album, Heaven Down Here, on Jan. 21. The trio–Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James and Adam Wakefield–are previewing the new project with the Casey James-led track, “Up One Side,” available everywhere this Friday, Oct. 15.

The 12-song album includes previously released tunes from their self-titled debut EP plus five new tracks. The trio first began writing and performing together in 2019 and announced the band publicly in June of 2020. Among the writers contributing to the project are Keith Stegall, Phillip White, Morgan Myles and more.

“All three of us were thrust into situations where millions of people made snap judgements on our talent and ability in 90 seconds, and that’s why this project has been so cathartic for us,” says Wakefield. “There are so many things we’re proud of on this record. I think the one I’m most proud of is how diverse and raw it is. At a time where new music coming out of ‘Music City’ can be formatted and predictable, we let the music lead; and it took us to a lot of different places. There are elements of Blues, R&B, Country, Southern Rock and even Latin influences on this mama-jama. I think there’s something for everyone on here.”

Heaven Down Here Track List:
1. Heaven Down Here (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James)
2. For The Love of It (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Phillip White, Brian Maher, James LeBlanc)
3. Up One Side (Phillip White, James LeBlanc, Casey James)
4. Four Roses (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Shannon Lawson)
5. Love Me When I’m Leaving (Adam Wakefield)
6. Neon Heart (Mike Walker, Ryan Beaver, James LeBlanc)
7. Easy On The Eyes (Adam Wakefield, Craig Wayne Boyd, Casey James, Morgan Myles)
8. Where The Lonely Go (Keith Stegall, Craig Wayne Boyd, Phillip White)
9. Love Is A River (Adam Wakefield)
10. Sugar Cane (Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc, Craig Wayne Boyd)
11. Darkest Sky (Ryan Beaver, Mike Walker, James LeBlanc)
12. For The Love of It *Encore Version (Adam Wakefield, Casey James, Craig Wayne Boyd, Phillip White, Brian Maher, James LeBlanc

‘Living & Learning With Reba McEntire’ Returns For Second Season

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Living & Learning with Reba McEntire is returning to Spotify for its second season with episodes beginning on Oct. 25.

Each week, Reba will tackle numerous topics through informative and intriguing conversations with a variety of celebrity guests. She will be joined by her boyfriend “Sugar Tot” Rex Linn, country music trio Lady A, and fellow country music icon Trisha Yearwood, among others.

The first season featured interviews with Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Kristin Chenoweth, Thomas Rhett & Lauren Atkins, Glennon Doyle, Karamo Brown, and more. To catch up before season 2’s debut, click here.

 

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Keb’ Mo’ & Darius Rucker, Abbey Cone, Rod + Rose

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Keb’ Mo’, Darius Rucker

Country newcomers shine brightly today in DisClaimer.

Vying for our attention are Rod + Rose, Dalton Dover and our DisCovery Award winner, Abbey Cone.

Mind you, there are plenty of old friends to greet as well, notably William Lee Golden, Reba, Dolly, Maria Muldaur and the enduringly brilliant Lyle Lovett. Listen right now to Lyle’s “Teach Me About Love.” You can thank me later.

The Disc of the Day belongs to the duo of Keb’ Mo’ and Darius Rucker, with Vince Gill behind the board. It’s a pure delight.

ROD + ROSE / “Put Me Back Together”
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Trevor Dahl/Brenton Duvall/Johnny Price/Kiara Saulters; Producer: Rodney Atkins/Seth Mosley; Label: Curb
— Country hitmaker Rodney Atkins and his bride, pop princess Rose Falcon, shimmer as a duo on this dreamy love ballad. It’s a seductive swirl of vocal harmonies, electronic loops, echoey percussion and electric guitar. Yes, it’s pop. But it sure is pretty.

REBA McENTIRE & DOLLY PARTON / “Does He Love You”
Writers: Sandy Knox/Billy Stritch; Producer: Dave Cobb/Reba McEntire; Label: MCA
— This revisitation of the 1993 Reba & Linda Davis Grammy and CMA winning duet works. The new arrangement is more acoustic and less bombastic. Both Reba and new partner Dolly breathe new life into the lyric, each adding fresh vocal embellishments and emotional nuances. In a word, classy.

WILLIE JONES / “Get Low, Get High”
Writers: Willie Jones/Cary Barlowe/Brandon Day; Producer: Willie Jones/Brandon Day; Label: Sony/Penthouse
— Jones applies a low baritone vocal to ride atop the beats on this rousing, uplifting outing about overcoming. The track builds to a catchy, quasi-shouted anthem, complete with massed male & female gang sings and a bright touch of brass. The song is pretty much a continually repeated snippet that wears out its welcome about 2/3 of the way through.

JAKE OWEN/ “Best Thing Since Backroads”
Writers: Ben Johnson/Geoff Warburton/Hunter Phelps/Jordan Minton; Producer: Joey Moi; Label: Big Loud
— This jolly thumper is churning up the charts for this perennial favorite. He’s so smitten with her that he thinks she’s prettier than a summer day or a country landscape. Everything about this smiles.

MARIA MULDAUR/ “I’m Vaccinated and I’m Ready for Love”
Writers: Maria Mudaur/Craig Caffal; Producer: none listed; Label: Stony Plain
— The “Midnight at the Oasis” charmer is back with a pandemic ditty. Musically, it’s a straightforward blues bopper with plenty of vintage ambiance and a back-alley guitar solo. Lyrically, it’s as cute as the dickens.

BLANCO BROWN / “Nobody’s More Country”
Writers: Bennie Amey III/Jordan Schmidt/Quintin Amey/Tyler Hubbard; Producer: Blanco Brown/ Jordan Schmidt; Label: BBR
— Delightful. Sung to a chirping, electro-embellished, banjo-and-handclaps track, Brown’s ode to the pleasures of country living is marvelously catchy. “The Git Up” star has reemerged, rehabbed from a near-fatal motorcycle crash and sounds as hearty as ever.

WILLIAM LEE GOLDEN & THE GOLDENS / “Jambalaya”
Writers: Hank Williams; Producer: Ben Isaacs/Michael Sykes/Chris Golden/Rusty Golden; Label: Copperline
— The “mountain man” of the Oak Ridge Boys kept his family’s spirits up during the pandemic by having recording sessions. The Country Hall of Famer and his three sons (Rusty, Chris & Craig) give this Hank Williams classic a Louisiana backbeat and some zippy guitar and piano work to make it a contemporary dance tune. Lotsa fun. Also check out their exquisite family harmonies on the Jim Reeves standard “Four Walls.”

KEB’ MO’ & DARIUS RUCKER / “Good Strong Woman”
Writers: Kevin Moore/Jason Nix/Jason Gantt; Producer: Vince Gill/Keb’ Mo’; Label: Rounder
— Nashville’s Grammy-winning bluesman goes all-the-way country on this toe-tapping ditty duet with Darius Rucker, coproduced by Hall of Famer Vince Gill. Crisp, clear and totally joyous.

DALTON DOVER / “You Got a Small Town”
Writers: Adam Craig/Jamie Paulin/John Pierce; Producer: Matt McVaney; Label: Droptine
— Blake turned his chair around for this youngster on The Voice a few years back and here’s why. Dover is a forceful, confident singer with plenty of grit and swagger in his delivery. The small-town Georgian displays impressive range and volume on this salute to rural roots. The production is needlessly busy and rock electrified, but he rises above it. An impressive debut, reminiscent of the titanic Luke Combs.

LYLE LOVETT / “Teach Me About Love”
Writers: Walter Hyatt; Producer: none listed; Label: Omnivore
— Drawn from an Austin City Limits tribute show to the late singer-songwriter Walter Hyatt, this sensational little acoustic swinger slides into that sweet spot between country and jazz. And nobody has the vocal “cool” to bring this off better than Lyle Lovett. Stay tuned for the finale yodel. “Groovy” doesn’t even begin to describe it.

MATT STELL / “Boyfriend Season”
Writers: Matt Stell/Zach Abend/Seth Ennis/Geoff Warburton; Producer: Matt Stell/Ash Bowers; Label: RECORDS/Arista
— The single continues to be “That Ain’t Me No More,” but this newly released track is almost as hooky. Advice for a broken hearted lady from her former lover.

ABBEY CONE / “Rhinestone Ring”
Writers: Abbey Cone/Heather Morgan/Nathan Spicer; Producer: Nathan Spicer/Abbey Cone; Label: Valory
— This youngster debuts with a sweet tune about wedding dreams. You don’t need all the fancy trimmings to make nuptials perfect, just true love. She doesn’t miss church bells, a veil, a white dress and all that: A jukebox dance in his arms wearing a little black dress in a neon-let barroom is just fine.

Blessing Offor Releases Music On Chris Tomlin’s Bowyer & Bow Label Imprint

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Multi-talented singer songwriter Blessing Offor has partnered with Chris Tomlin’s Bowyer & Bow imprint on Universal/Capitol Christian Music Group to release new music. His double single debut “Brighter Days / Tin Roof,” is available on all digital streaming platforms.

The youngest of six siblings, the Nigerian-born singer-songwriter immigrated to the United States with his uncle at the age of six. Blessing was born blind in one eye, so his parents sent him to the United States in an effort to restore his vision, though unfortunately he lost his complete eyesight by age 10.

Gravitating towards the piano before losing his vision, Blessing’s teachers helped nurture his talent, and he soon found himself at Belmont University. Now Blessing is a go-to songwriter in Nashville, accruing writing credits with top talents Chris Tomlin, Natalie Hemby, Breland, and others.

Known for his powerful voice and very melodic sound, Blessing juxtaposes the driving rhythms of “Brighter Days” with the softer tones of “Tin Roof” on the release.

“I’ve really been looking forward to sharing my songs with everyone,” Blessing says. “Every one of them feels like I’m sharing a part of myself for people to relate to. That’s what ‘Brighter Days’ is about. The idea that we all experience dark days, but it’s those days that lead us to, and that makes the brighter ones worth waiting for.”

CRB Inducts Class Of 2021 Into Country Radio Hall Of Fame, Honors Keith Urban & Beverlee Brannigan

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Pictured (L-R): Country Radio Hall of Fame Inductees Bill Hagy, Bob Pickett, Angie Ward, Buzz Jackson, RJ Curtis, Heather Froglear. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. held its 2021 Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony at The Westin in Nashville last night (Oct. 13) to induct four off-air radio broadcasters and four on-air radio personalities who have made a significant impact on the radio industry during their careers.

The 2021 Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of inductees recognized were off-air honorees Bob Call, RJ Curtis, Bill Hagy, and Norm Schrutt. On-air honorees were Heather Froglear, Buzz Jackson, Bob Pickett, and Angie Ward. Due to last-minute unforeseen circumstances, Call was unable to attend and appear at this year’s event. His induction will be held at the 2022 Hall of Fame event.

Pictured (L-R):2021 CRB President’s Award recipient Beverlee Brannigan and CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

CRB/CRS Board President, Kurt Johnson, also presented long-time music industry veteran and member of the CRB board and executive committee, Beverlee Brannigan, with the organization’s 2021 President’s Award.

Country music superstar Garth Brooks was on hand to present another country music giant, Keith Urban, with the 2021 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award. Brooks capped off the award presentation with a special performance of Urban’s 2004-hit song, “You’ll Think of Me,” and was later joined by Urban and Trisha Yearwood for a special performance of “Fishin’ in The Dark.”

Nominations for the 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame are being accepted through Oct. 29. The Class of 2022 will be revealed at CRS 2022, to be held Feb. 23-25, 2022.

Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban, CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson, Garth Brooks. Photo: Andrea Schollnick

Tim Kelly Shares Lifelong Musical Passion On Debut, Ruston Kelly-Produced Album

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Tim Kelly. Photo: John Chong

Tim Kelly is fulfilling a lifelong ambition with his debut album, Ride Through the Rain, which was produced by son, Ruston Kelly. The project is set for release on Nov. 5, and the album’s first single, “Leave This Town,” along with a live performance of the song featuring Ruston, is available now.

Ride Through the Rain includes nine original songs spanning from his teen years to the present day, drawing on modern sounds as well as the ‘70’s songwriters he admires. Telling his story in songs like “Leave This Town,” Kelly fulfills the promise he showed before he traded his musical ambitions for a manufacturing career to provide for his family. After touring with Ruston as his pedal steel guitarist and playing on his last two albums, Kelly was prodded by his son to finally make a record that captured his voice.

“’Leave This Town’ goes from contemplating a decision to walk away from the familiar, from roots and relationships, to actually doing it, making a major life change with all the uncertainty that goes with it,” explains Kelly. “I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful to be able to make a record at this point in my life, and I don’t think it’s the last thing that I’ll do.”

“Seeing this album come to life is a dream come true for both of us. I’ve tried to get him to record these songs for years, over many breakfasts and many conversations on tour,” shares Ruston. “His songs are the reason I write songs. They are masterfully written and beautifully performed by a man who has really seen it all. It’s pretty rare for a father’s album to be produced by his son and I definitely don’t take it for granted how special that is. I’m just so proud of him as my dad, as a person, and as an artist fulfilling a lifelong dream.”

Keb’ Mo’ Bridges Nashville & Compton On New Album, ‘Good To Be’

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Keb’ Mo’. Photo: Jeremy Cowart

Keb’ Mo’ is reaching back to his roots on his new album, Good To Be, set for release on Jan. 21 via Rounder Records. The artist collaborated with Darius Rucker for the first single from the new collection, “Good Strong Woman,” available everywhere now.

“I co-wrote [‘Good Strong Woman’] with two of Nashville’s best country writers, Jason Nix and Jason Gantt. It’s a song that I didn’t think I’d be recording, but it was just too much fun, and I had to give it a shot. When Darius got involved, it went from fun to stun,” explains Kevin Moore, who is known by his stage name Keb’ Mo’.

Written between Nashville and his childhood home in Compton, California, Good To Be is a celebration of roots and resilience, drawing on a mesh of country, soul, and blues for its sound. The project was co-produced by Keb’ Mo’ alongside Vince Gill  and Grammy winner Tom Hambridge. Kristin Chenoweth and Old Crow Medicine Show also make guest appearances on the project.

Earlier this year, two tracks were released from the collection–“Sunny and Warm” and “The Medicine Man” (feat. Old Crow Medicine Show. Some of the album’s songs, like “Quiet Moments,” were written as far back as the early ’70s, while others were penned just months ago in the midst of the pandemic.

“You can’t bring an attitude to Compton,” says Keb’. “You can’t pose. You can’t be anything but real when you’re walking down the same streets you used to ride your bike on as a kid. In a lot of ways, coming back there felt like it completed me.”

Last month, Keb’ Mo’ received the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Performance Award at the organization’s 20th annual Honors and Awards show in Nashville. He will also be on tour throughout the rest of the year, with additional dates to be announced in the coming months.

Good To Be Track List:
1. Good To Be (Home Again)
2. So Easy
3. Sunny and Warm
4. Good Strong Woman (feat. Darius Rucker)
5. The Medicine Man (feat. Old Crow Medicine Show)
6. Marvelous to Me
7. Lean on Me
8. Like Love
9. Dressed Up in Blue
10. ‘62 Chevy
11. Louder
12. So Good to Me
13. Quiet Moments (feat. Kristin Chenoweth)

CMT Celebrates Top Country Entertainers At ‘Artists Of The Year’ Ceremony Live In Nashville

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Mary and Randy Travis speak onstage the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Last night (Oct. 13), CMT recognized some of this year’s biggest acts live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center at the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year ceremony.

Honorees included Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs, alongside Breakout Artist of the Year Mickey Guyton and Artist of a Lifetime Randy Travis. Together these artists have produced some 200 career top 10 singles, won 130 awards and have been streamed over 25 billion times.

Luke Combs accepts an award onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

The evening kicked off with Combs performing “Forever After All,” and accepting his award from friend Eric Church. He thanked the fans and his wife, and gave a special call out to Randy Travis for his enduring influence on country music.

Next, Barrett was lauded by Grammy award-winning Christian artist Michael W. Smith who introduced a performance of her No. 1 hit song, “The Good Ones.”

Mickey Guyton and Yola perform onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Guyton, alongside friend and musician Yola, garnered the night’s first standing ovation with the world premiere version of “Remember Her Name.” The performance moved Guyton to tears, noting in her acceptance speech that “country music is really everyone’s music.”

The second standing ovation came when Garth Brooks awarded friend and country legend Randy Travis with the Artist of a Lifetime Award. Randy and his wife, Mary Davis Travis, accepted the honor as Mary thanked the fans on Randy’s behalf noting, “Randy’s stroke may have taken his voice, but didn’t take the man or the heart, and it didn’t take the music.”

Brown was introduced by friend Nelly before taking the stage to honor Randy with one of his biggest hits, “Three Wooden Crosses.” Brown accepted his own 2021 honor, thanking the fans and remembering his bandmate and drummer who passed away in 2019.

Chris Stapleton accepts an award onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Next, Grammy Award-winning artists Boys II Men, joined by Pentatonix’s Kevin Olusola, honored Stapleton with a first-ever performance of his song, “Cold.” Stapleton acknowledged being moved by all the “love in the room” as he accepted his award from friend and actress Connie Britton.

The final honoree celebrated was Kelsea Ballerini. Her husband, Morgan Evans, introduced her performance with tour-mates Jonas Brothers. Performing “With a Little Help From My Friends,” Ballerini accepted her award, thanking fans for their support.

The evening concluded with Walker Hayes who performed his smash viral hit, “Fancy Like.”

Gabby Barrett accepts an award onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Kane Brown performs onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin

Kelsea Ballerini accepts the 2021 CMT Artists of the Year award from her tour stop in Franklin, Tennessee, with the Jonas Brothers.

Walker Hayes performs onstage during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on Oct. 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin